ABINGDON - MAN JAILED AFTER SEXUALLY ASSAULTING GIRL IN CAMPERVAN
A man in his twenties has received a prison sentence after breaking into a campervan and assaulting a 16-year-old girl.Karl Southey, aged 29 and residing on Grebe Close in Abingdon, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on July 3.
Earlier this year, a jury found him guilty of one count of assault by penetration during a trial.
The court was informed that the incident occurred in Abingdon on May 30, 2023.
Prosecutor David Parvin told the court that Southey entered the vehicle where the teenage girl was staying and subjected her to a sexual assault.
According to the victim, she asked him to leave, but he persisted with the attack.
Mr.
Parvin presented a victim impact statement, highlighting that the girl has been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder and suffers from stress-induced seizures.
The prosecution noted that her condition affected her education, leading her to leave school without completing her exams, and caused anxiety that hindered her ability to work.
The victim was described as particularly vulnerable, with Southey having entered the campervan forcibly while he was intoxicated.
The court revealed that Southey has a criminal record with eight prior convictions covering 12 offences, none related to sexual crimes.
Defense lawyer Abigail Bright explained that Southey, who was 16 when he became homeless, was profoundly affected by losing his mother, which contributed to his downward spiral.
Judge Emma Nott KC stated that Southey committed a serious sexual offence, uninvited and unwanted, forcibly penetrating the girl in her own accommodation.
She emphasized that she did not consent and that Southey's actions caused her significant psychological trauma, including flashbacks and anxiety, impacting her daily life.
The judge acknowledged Southey’s vulnerability, citing his depression and anxiety, but affirmed that these factors do not diminish his responsibility for his crime.
Southey was sentenced to four years in prison, with additional penalties including a 10-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim and requirements for indefinite notification registration.
The case highlights the long-lasting harm caused by his actions and the importance of accountability for such serious offences.
